Claude Makelele has signed a one-year extension to his Chelsea contract to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2009.

The veteran holding midfielder has won league titles in France and Spain with
Nantes and Real Madrid respectively as well as the Champions League with the
latter.

Chelsea splashed out £13.9million to sign the player from Madrid shortly after
Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

Since arriving in England Makelele has been an integral member of Chelsea's
success.

He adapted seamlessly to the pace of the Premier League and helped Jose
Mourinho's side win the English title in 2004 and 2005, as well as two Carling
Cup triumphs and the FA Cup last May.

Despite having retired from international football, he agreed to return for
France as they struggled to qualify for last year's World Cup and along with
several fellow veterans booked a place in Germany, where Les Bleus reached the
final only to lose to Italy last July.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old defender Sam Hutchinson has signed a new four-year
contract at Stamford Bridge, following Scott Sinclair's commitment to a
long-term deal last week.